A representative of the United States expressed the International Court of Justice of “serious doubts” concerning the impartiality of UNRWA
“The impartiality of UNRWA [l’agence de l’ONU pour les réfugiés palestiniens] arouses serious doubts, because of information according to which Hamas used UNRWA facilities and that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel “said Josh Simmons on Wednesday of the US State Department’s legal team during hearings devoted to the humanitarian obligations of Israel to the Palestinians
Mr. Simmons told the judges that Israel had “Many reasons” to question the impartiality of UNRWA. “It is clear that Israel has no obligation to authorize UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance”he said, adding that UNRWA was not the only humanitarian aid option.
The International Court of Justice (CIJ), located in The Hague (Netherlands), opened its week of hearings on Monday-in which Israel does not participate-more than fifty days after the establishment of a total blockade on the aid entering the Gaza Strip.
Israel has promulgated a law prohibiting UNRWA, to operate on Israeli soil, after having accused certain staff members of having participated in Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which triggered the conflict.
A series of surveys, one of which conducted by the former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, revealed “Neutrality problems” At UNRWA, but recalled that Israel had not provided evidence of its main allegation.
